Southwestern Restaurant Mohave Becomes West of Pecos

When Woodhouse Fish Company co-owner Dylan MacNiven first proposed a Southwestern restaurant to take the place of Bombay Bazaar and Bombay Ice Creamery at 550 Valencia Street, neighbors were concerned.

In a letter to the Planning Department, MacNiven wrote “Our neighbor Amparo Vigil also expressed her concern to us that she thought our concept for a Southwestern restaurant was very close to her Mexican cuisine at Puerto Alegre.”

In June, the Planning Commission told MacNiven to reach out to community members and see what would work.

MacNiven’s project has since changed in name and in concept and his request for a conditional use authorization will go before the Planning Commission Thursday.

The Planning Commission needs to grant conditional use authorization for a space greater than 3,000 square feet in size, and because the restaurant is requesting a full liquor license.

The restaurant is now called West of Pecos and MacNivens plans on offering American comfort food, “focusing on an Old West theme.”

“We realized that the concept we were planning may not have the best interests of the local neighborhood by being too upscale,” MacNiven wrote in a letter to the Planning Department. “It wasn’t exactly a fine dining white tablecloth place but it was near the higher priced of the existing restaurants that have supported the community for many years,” he added.

If approved, West of Pecos will be a “rustic American-themed joint with comfort food.”

The 3,190-square foot restaurant is slated to be a full-service restaurant and bar and could generate as many as 30 jobs.

The MacNivens—that includes Dylan, Jamis, Tyler and Rowan—have a proven track record in the restaurant business. They’ve owned Buck’s restaurant in Woodside for the past 20 years, and also run two Woodhouse Fish Company restaurants on Market Street and Fillmore Street.

Both Vigil and MacNiven weren’t available for immediate comment.